QantasLink QLD milk run flight change

[Joshua]

There's a few old threads on the 'milk run' in QLD but I didn't feel completely satisfied so here's my dilemma.

During the QFLink sale a few months ago I managed to put together an itinerary BNE-ROK-MKY-TSV-CNS-TSV-MKY-ROK-GLT-BNE nearly all ticketed separately (only the final 2 sectors came under one ticket) for just over $200. I intentionally spaced it out so I could actually enjoy it - overnight in CNS, lunch in MKY & TSV. However QF have now cancelled the morning flight out of CNS on the 2nd day, QF2305. So now I'm tentatively on QF2307 that entire day.

I've flown the QFLink 717 rotations in and out of ASP (DRW, CNS, PER etc.) where you get 20-30 mins in the QC while they refuel, but am I seriously looking at 6 hours stuck on a Crash 8? I'm starting to think this will be somewhat unbearable.

Additionally I'll be flying up and back from ADL the days around this, probably through MEL and maybe NTL. So with all that in mind, should I get shifted to the pre-dawn CNS-TSV flight to space it out better? Also to those who've done these flights, would it be a good idea to bring a decent lunch along? I presume it's snacks all the way (where time permits). Any other insights are welcome.

Either way $200-ish for 8000 pts + 80SC is good value. I'm due for another loyalty bonus

 

[markis10]

I find the catering on the coastal Crash 8s to be great, better than mainline, however I would be concerned that 2307 may credit as one segment!

 

[Joshua]

I find the catering on the coastal Crash 8s to be great, better than mainline, however I would be concerned that 2307 may credit as one segment!

Interesting question, looking at this post.

QF bookings / checkmytrip shows flights booked as:

1. QF2352
2. QF2308
3. QF2308 + QF2314 (2 separate segments - like doing BNE-SYD-ADL)
4. QF2305 - Cancelled flight
5. QF2307
6. QF2307
7. QF2307 (ROK-GLT-BNE)

QFF rules are less convoluted since that post:

9.3.3 Points may be earned for each Flight Segment travelled on Eligible Flights by a Member. The number of Points earned is calculated using the shortest distance on the surface of the globe between the origin and destination of the Flight Segment, regardless of any intermediate stops.

'Segment' means the portion of a journey between two consecutive points listed on an Itinerary.

By there own definitions, I would say these are all 'segments' so should credit separately. That being logical, I am therefore doomed.

 

[JohnK]

I've flown the QFLink 717 rotations in and out of ASP (DRW, CNS, PER etc.) where you get 20-30 mins in the QC while they refuel, but am I seriously looking at 6 hours stuck on a Crash 8? I'm starting to think this will be somewhat unbearable.

I have done it once and it I would not say it was unbearable. Time passes real quick but what got me tired was the take-offs and landings.

By there own definitions, I would say these are all 'segments' so should credit separately. That being logical, I am therefore doomed.

I would not worry. From memory I had 3 different tickets CNS-TSV, TSV-MKY-ROK and ROK-BNE (via GLT). They were all the same flight number and I received the 40 SCs and 4,000 QFF points. As long as sector/segment is listed seperately on the PNR you will get credit for it regardless of whether it is the same flight or not.

eg SYD-BKK on QF1 and BKK-LHR on QF1 (same flight, same day) will credit separately where as SYD-LHR on QF1 will credit once and not count the intermediate point.

 

[markis10]

Enjoy the trip, the views out of the left hand side of the a/c should be great if the weather is good!

 

[Joshua]

Okay, thank you both. I was having bad memories travelling SZX-PEK by train without food for 30 hours when I was younger...

I was thinking the Pacific will be the best view. Did BNE-CNS by jet recently but had heavy cloud

It's a different sort of seating strategy having to consider what you're flying past. During ASP-PER, allocated 1A on a 712 - it's excellent, slightly more legroom than 1DEF, feels slightly DOM J like. I expected to pass just north of Uluru, but I swear the pilot actually banked above AYQ and had a great view for a few minutes. It's fun flying new routes like this, not worried about getting there or status - just taking as much in as I can.

 

[N860CR]

QantasLink catering has gone downhill a lot, even in the last 12 months. About a year ago one would get sandwhiches for lunch, a yogurt and bakery item for breakfast and either a pack with a savory item or cheese and biscuits in the evening.

These days its a terrible (always high in sugar) pastry item for any AM or lunch service, and often just a very small packet of soy chips on the PM legs (at least the bar service is still 7 days).

This is mainly the ROK runs.

 

[Groundfeeder]

I've done this run several times getting from CNS to ROK.

The flight along the coast at about FL180 is great for scenery, the snacks were good, the FA's superb (as usual with QLink) but the safety briefings in a short period get monotonous.

During stops the pilot or FO will often stretch their legs in the cabin and happy to chat (to us profile people forward).